£ 685 
.U54 
Copy 1 



9; "IB 



^ii 



OR, 

fit f mi Iatl@iil%' 0®B] 

IN TWO PARTS. 

Proving That tlie United States is tiie 
Fifth Nationality That' ShonW Come in 
tlie latter Times. 

ELECTION OF SHERMAN- 
! RUPTURE WITH MEXICO- 
i WAR WITH SPAIN AND ENG- 
LAND-ANNEXATION OF ALL 
OUTLYING LANDS-PROPHECY 
FULFILLED. 

tM Tol«1 Ry ITiirle Billy in 10S5. 



ladi llllf'i liifitlfe; 



OR, 

fifth Istl@mlit| 0@aplil©. 

IN ;.TWO PARTS. 



Proving That the United States is the 
Fifth Nationality That Should Come in 
the Latter Times. 



ELECTION OF SHERMAN- 
RUPTURE WITH MEXICO- 
WAR WITH SPAIN AND ENG- 
LAND-ANNEXATION OF ALL 
OUTLYING LANDS-PROPHECY 
FULFILLED. 



As Told By Uncle Billy in 19S5. 

1880. 



; U 5 ^ 



UNCLE BILLY'S NARRATIVE; 

OR, 

The Mfth N"atioiialit7. 



CHAPTER I. 

"Now, Uncle Billy, please do tell us a story about our 
happy country," were the words of a number of children 
that were seated around a stove in a rural district mansion. 

The old man sat in an armed-chair at one side of the 
stove and his wife on the other, well seated in one of 
smaller dimensions. The boys, that they might not dis- 
turb the old man's meditations, seemed to keep as much 
silence as possible for individuals of their age. The fire 
roared loud, which made the old mansion glow with recol- 
lections of Christmas holidays long since passed, and* also 
those near at hand, that we had come to spend with Uncle 
Billy. 

"Very willingly, my boys," said Uncle Billy, amused 
by his returning recollections. "I'll tell you about our 
dear country and the vast regions where she has extended 
freedom and liberty; but, before I begin, I want you, 
master Harry, to bound our glorious country, the United 
States." 

"That I . can do. Uncle Billy: it is bounded on the 
north by the Arctic, on the east by the Atlantic and on 
the west by the Pacific Oceans ; or, as the Bible says, the 
fifth great nationality is bounded by the eastern sea and 



2 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

the great sea : ^^ ^From the border unto the east sea, this 
shall be the east side. . . . The west side also shall the 
great sea ; from the border, this is the west side.'' 

''Very good — excellent/' said Uncle Billy. "Now Avhat 
can you tell about the inhabitants of our country ? " 

" Its inhabitants, the amalgamation of the finest 
European races forming a national character, having for 
its basis the irresistible energy and steady courage of the 
Anglo-Saxton, in which are mingled the religious tenacity 
of the thrifty Scot ; the generous bravery of the quick- 
witted Irishman ; the sanguine and the elastic spirit of the 
mercurial Frenchman, and the patient, persevering indus- 
try of the honest German." 

''Yes, my dear children, our forefathers were not of 
high ])atrician birth, but generally selected of thiit class 
which in England especially constitutes the very best and 
most enterprising of her people. Independence of mind, 
a fearless spirit, with an unparalleled strength of purpose, 
vrere characteristics by which they were distinguislied. 
Another and different race might have been our fathers ; 
but God had high and important purposes in view, and 
therefore selected men who possessed the power and were 
furnished with the materials to lay the deep and broad 
Ibundations of a nation destined to be unexampled and 
glorious. The nature of the constitutions and laws they 
framed and adopted ; their moral tcndaucy ; the strictness 
of their religious sentiments, all give evidence of an over- 
ruling I*n)vI(U3ncc ; and as Jong as the religion of Jesus is 
pcriiHtted to lie dee})ly rooted in her institutions, she can 
never fall. The llock of Ages is her abiding place. She 
is supported by {)i liars of strength and beauty that suft'er 
no d<'<'av. nn<l i)I<! (l-fiance to t\ni^ tootli of time. It seem- 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 3 

eth but natural, then, for us to see her in the front among 
nations, her stars pouring light upon the millennial morn- 
ing, while her spirit-waking trumpet shall break upon the 
ears of slumbering millions/' 

"Yes, my dear children, our glorious Republic glowed 
in the breasts of the prophets in long ages past, as the 
Bible tells us so extensively and plainly, that it would be 
impossible to disbelieve, less you disbelieve the sacred 
Word itself. It was the delight of Ezekiel, who gave 
its boundary so definitely, and the eloquence of Isaiah, 
who went so far as to declare that old Spain should be the 
first to bring its inhabitants hither ; while Jeremias de- 
clared it to be a republic, and that the rulers should pro- 
ceed from the midst of the people ; and many others went 
into rapturous delight over its glory. Moses spoke of the 
eagle spreading her wings over her young and stirring up 
her nest, for so has the America eagle spread his wings 
over all men. He says they shall be free, without saying 
whether they are Jews, Christians or Infidels ; if they be- 
have themselves, they are all welcome here. 

Hail Columbia ! Happy Land ! Thou art the friend 
of the oppressed of all lands. Oh ! our glorious Repub- 
lic ; may the Supreme Being still guide thee in prosperity 
and glory ; and we will praise our God forever and for- 



ever i 



,r^ 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 



CHAPTER II. 

"When I look over our great Union, and see the exten- 
sive factories, mills, mines, shops, railroads and canals so 
busy, I feel that our country is the great store-house of 
productions and manufactures for the whole world, without 
a rival nation. Old England dead ; she gamboled with 
the world till she lost the sword. Ireland free ; Australia 
independent, and India annexed by Russia long ago. So 
extensive is the demand for our manufactured commodi- 
ties, that our factories are run to their utmost capacity ; 
our mills cannot supply the orders crowded upon them ; 
and our furnaces and mines give abundance of work to 
the laboring classes. 

Our own dear Frederick city is growing larger, and lar- 
ger, and we can hardly build houses fast enough for the 
people who want to live in them, that come to work in our 
cotton factories, car shops, furnaces and mills, besides mer- 
chants, lawyers, doctors, and others, who get their share of 
profits out of the tens of thousands circulated monthlv, 
while with the increased prosperity we find little povertv, 
as everybody has plenty of work and money. Young 
men can now go into the army or navy, while openings 
can be found in all the professions, or even the government 
offices. . AVhat prosperous times we have, with gold, sil- 
ver and plenty of greenbacks — legal tender notes — the 
sole i)aj)er money of tlie rouiitry, receivable for all debts 
])iibllc or private. But tiiis was not so fifty years ago; 
then a iVightful depression was ivsling upon all branches 
of industry ; not a village but had some of its citizens out 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 5 

of employment, oftentimes numbers longing for work to sup- 
port their starving families and themselves by honest labor. 
But where w^as the work? Factories idle; trade, the 
calm health of nations, paralized ; capital, selfishly locked 
up in bank vaults, refusing to flow in accustomed ways for 
the common good. What a contrast ! We were promised 
everything by the Democratic congress and the politician 
who wanted office, but they did nothing : however, with 
a pretense of prosperity, cried out for a reduction, 
or extinction, of the army, which was already inade- 
quate to protect the large frontier of our country, — trou- 
bles with the Indians and Mexico. They feared intimida- 
tion. They could not see that a bad president with 500 
soldiers could do more harm than a good president would 
with 100,000, now that reconciliation had come, for they 
went into office with a cry of retrenchment and could not 
be made to eat their own pledges. Meanwhile the good 
administration of President Hayes dispersed every midst 
and shadow and shone forth resplendent in the clear light 
of patriotic fame, bringing reconciliation to our discordant 
land. But how was the rock to be tapped from which all 
common blessings flowed that belong to the people but in 
the successful management of national finance and the an- 
nexations predestined ? Nominating time was near, and 
the political parties began to look for their presidential 
candidate. As usual, the more enthusiastic newspapers 
spoke of different politicians, each of course figuring them 
out in accordance with individual preferences, but the great 
mass of the people wanted Secretary Sherman. They 
wanted a man who stood up for the Union, the equality 
of all citizens, the principles and practices of the founders 
of the government, supplying by legislation, when needed, 



6 Uncle Billyhs Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

what was established by custom, and eliminating section- 
alism by a wise and patriotic policy. 

Now, you may want to know who Mr. Sherman is : he 
was Secretary of the Treasury during President Hayes' 
administration, and whose wonderful success in managing 
the national finances gave him a strength and popularity 
among the people that his opponents dare not undurate, 
and his financial results left their marks upon the country 
in so many ways that it was not difficult to understand 
why he advanced to the front as one of the most popular 
candidates for the presidential nomination of a great party. 
His financial success made his name a household word in 
homes where are, instead of hunger, work and plenty ; in- 
stead of idle looms and closed shops, the welcome hum of 
machinery and the ringing peals of the anvil and forge ; 
all brought about by his faithfulness and financial ability, 
giving evidence of his unwavering patriotism and devo- 
tion to his country. 

You have heard a great deal of talk about j^arty. jS^ow, 
the party destined to control the interest of our countrv is 
the Kepublican party, for it is a national party, and a con- 
stitutional party. It tends to administer the government 
according to the principles of the constitution, and I begin 
to think that tlic Republican party can never die, because 
it is an outgrowth and representative of our constitution, 
therefore you cannot kill it without you kill the constitu- 
tion out of which it derives its strength and existence. 

Said a politician, 'The Republicans Avill elect Sherman. 
We are going to win. AV'e arc going to trium})h. Everv 
breeze that sweeps over the country brings glad tidino;s of 
increasing jmwer. We are going to elect Sherman, the 
constitution dcjnands it; the people demand it; and 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 7 

Providence gives it a smile. I tell you, every citizen will 
be happy. We are on the eve of a prosperity never before 
known. Rally, soldiers, rally ! keep in order, victory is 
yours.' 

Never before in the history of our country was the cam- 
paign more exciting, or the people more earnest and deter- 
mined in not being swayed by electioneering schemes. 
They looked matters squarely in the face and determined 
to cast their votes for the best candidate. I can look 
back with pride at the campaign with its massmeetings, 
pole-raisings and barbacues, of dense masses of ardent, 
enthusiastic voters who came pouring into our villages and 
groves, renown for their many popular and hilarious meet- 
ings. Not only the men, but the women, too, often in 
large numbers, occupying the rude seats that patriotic 
hands erected, and from hundreds to many thousand peo- 
ple eagerly and attentively listening to the eloquent speak- 
ers who addressed the meetings, and the deep spirit of the 
people in the campaign was manifest by the great applause 
and enthusiasm shown during those times, and at every 
reference to the name of the candidate. 

These meetings were of extraordinary extent, with the 
usual transparencies, music and torches; which brought 
many hundreds in their train to the meetings ; yet voters 
did not come to see this display, but were urged by pa- 
triotism to rally round these great council lights during 
the campaign, and expressed joy with deep gratification, 
and long remembered the great spectacles which enthused 
them with new life and vigor. 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 



CHAPTER III. 

What a shout of victory was heard all through the couu- 
try of the election of Sherman, for a perfect fairness to 
vote gave him as a free and fair expression of the will of 
the people the popular majority of over a half a million 
votes. The Democrats looked haggard and dejected at 
this majority and their defeat ; yet there were many prom- 
inent individuals in their ranks who were shrewd and far- 
seeing, who studied the drift of events, and were tolerably 
reliable prophets of politics. Notwithstanding that the 
party did little but blunder along, and threw away its 
chances one after another of ever controlling the country, 
for the false position taken by the Democratic leaders on 
the great questions utterly disqualified them from leader- 
ship. With good leaders, the party might have prevented 
the blunders which it underwent, yet in all the large num- 
ber of wise heads, there appeared to be none farseeing 
enough for a radical revolution in politico. So the Demo- 
crats never regained power, though they continued a strong 
opposition for several elections, but an opposition to criti- 
cise is of more use out of office than in, and as Providence 
])oints out the right way by the mistakes of the unwise, it 
was not in our place to quarrel with the Democrats v/ho 
were determined to elect Sherman President. 

Mr. Sherman was inaugurated and taken to the White 
House, and we began to look forward to the grand era 
of i^rosperity promised, as our government is a providen- 
tial Rej)ul)lic, and the time was at hand when the fifth 
nationality should be complete. A cause and it was born ; 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or^ The Fifth Nationality. 9 

a cause apparently trifling yet great in accomplishing His 
divine will, and it is complete. Now, the prognostica 
commenced by marauding bands on our Mexican frontier, 
supported by Mexico. Our government could not allow 
marauding bands to establish themselves upon its borders, 
with liberty to invade and plunder our citizens with im- 
punity, and when pursued take refuge under Mexican pro- 
tection, and if our officers crossed the boundary, they were 
met with hostile opposition, and our government instead of 
receiving redress, was met by delays, denials and postpone- 
ments. Our government determined pursuit after marau- 
ders, regardless of frown or menace. Finally a body of 
our troops, in pursuit of a band of filibusters, was met by 
a detachment of the Mexican army drawn up in line of 
battle. Our general warned them to get out of the way, 
else he would fire upon them. They did not heed this. 
A battle resulted, and the "game of Texas played over 
again." 

Then came bustle and lively times all over the country. 
Wages went up ; wheat Avent up ; giving a new impulse to 
the interest of the whole country ; while the overplus of 
manufactured goods found a ready market open for about 
§40,000,000, giving a demand to the skill and industry of 
the States, and our farmers in opening an extensive mar- 
ket for beef, pork, flour, breadstuff, etc., giving encour- 
agement to the dishearted. Then came the gold and sil- 
ver mines in vogue, — the most productive in the world, — 
and the riches they would bring us worked with our modern 
improvements ; and although nearly fifty years have passed, 
there seems to be no end to the riches this part of our 
country is bringing us. Very few lands are as rich in all 
that constitutes material prosperity and promise ; it com- 



10 TJiicle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

prises everj soil and climate. On the mountain slopes 
and plateax, yon enjoy a climate of perfect salnblity and 
refreshment ; find growing side by side, corn, banana, palm 
and tobacco. In the still higher regions of the capitpl, 
etc., you will sleep all the year under a blanket, while 
feasting every day on the lusciousness brought by a few 
hours' rail from the fertile plains below. A country of 
every capability a bountiful God can give ; its lower re- 
gions laughing in perpetual summer, and then by grand 
degrees of beauty and fertility ascending in mountain sum- 
mits ever crowned with snow ; a country whose very name 
brings to the mind visions of peerless splendor and ro- 
mance ; a country which Italia with all her love of beauty 
hath no fairer bloom ; and Greece, with all her song, no 
prouder story ; a country like unto what the prophet 
speaks : ^'A good land ; a land of olive oil and honey ; a 
land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness.'^ . . 
. . Dent. VIII. 

But resume. - At the breaking out of the war, we or- 
ganized a company, but there were so many that wanted 
to go, the government could not take one twentieth ; in- 
deed, so many did go, that it seemed like a crusade ; all 
Mexico was overrun in less than sixty days. Her politi- 
cians, who tyrannized over tlie people, did all they could 
to carry on the war and hold office, but the people were 
anxious for good government, and begged to be annexed 
to a government that comes home to men's bosoms and 
firesides. They saw that Mexico could not take care of 
herself. Her people are brave ; make excellent citizens ; 
l)ut demoralized by a long course of }>olitical corruption ; 
her government from beginning without strength — a po- 
litical volcano belching forth revolution upon revolution, 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Pifih Nationality. 11 

reble watchfires forever burning on the hillsides. Unsta- 
bility and feuds of government cause farmers to fear to 
visit their farms, much less live on them, as they would 
likely be carried off by some rebellious chief, placed in a 
den until a good fat ransom was paid. Farm buildings 
have to be Avell walled and fortified, and carry on at times 
very respectable battles and seiges. Farms are large, and 
even under all these adverse circumstances, yield great 
revenues to their owners. On every train, one entire car 
is devoted to fifty troops, Avhose duty it is to see the train 
safely through regions of lawlessnes and rebellion. At 
every railroad station a body of cavalry is drawn up to 
protect the train from reble banditti. But the soldiers 
could not be trusted. Thievs, robbers, when arrested and 
condemned, are sent to the army, their punishment being 
to fight the battles of their country. What, then, could 
be expected of such politicians and soldiers but to hold 
power and destroy the country ? 

But we could not received Mexico without jealousy by 
the Old World. England's policy, not her love, sustained 
amicable relations with us while it suited her, but no lon- 
ger ; and Spain tried another of her old tricks — a gross 
insult upon our flag, which was only a repetition of past 
acts, when our citizens were shot in cold blood, without 
trial, without sympathy. Such direful acts were let pass 
with a few thousand rusty doubloons as expiatory. The 
most ignominious deaths awaited the patriots who attempted 
to throw off the most odious system of slavery that ever 
disgraced any country — lashed, spurned, robbed and out- 
raged by the minions of foreign depotism, whose chains 
they were unable to shake off. But this v>^as to end, and 
not in vain had the Cubans again and again stretched forth 



12 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

their hands to us their free brethren, imploring, demand- 
ing that aid and co-operation, which freemen everywhere 
owe to the oppressed and enslaved, while in her country's 
sky, her scenery, her soil, she reads her titled deeds traced 
by the finger of God to freedom. Yes, the Queen of the 
Antilles was to be free ; her free brethren would punish 
the conquistadores. Old Spain had hoodwinked our gov- 
ernment long enough by her promises when she condemned 
hosts of patriots to death, but instead she clothed the mur- 
derers with honors or office. Popular feeling was bitter 
and determined that the murderers should be punished by 
our government. Old Spain remonstrated and declared 
war against us, and then the oppressed demanded that 
which we could not refuse, — that freedom Avhich they had 
a right to, and prayed to be annexed, forever protected 
from tyranny, which our people did ahnost unanimously ; 
yet there were some citizens who had imbibed the old fogy 
notions, as from the early days of our Republic, that an 
addition of a few more states to the original thirteen, 
would make our Union unwieldly, and that it would totter 
and fall. AVhen California was admitted, rife was the 
prediction of ruin ; we had reached tlie utmost verge of 
safety ; its mongrel population would tarnish ; its climate 
enervate ; and its gold corrupt ; but 'ere thirty years had 
passed it was altogether Americanized, and as homogene- 
ous as Baltimore or Xew York. Said one of our public 
men fifty years ago, "We can gather under our wings 
Canada, Cuba, Mexico and Central America, for each ad- 
dition of a new state imposes no burden, it is self-support- 
ing. Each branch that falls from the banyan tree finds 
its own root, its own sustenance, grows luxuriantly, and 
adds its might to animate nature. The accrescent tendency 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 13 

of the times cannot be denied or ignored. Fate has writ- 
ten it down in her leaves ; opinion has registered it among 
her resolves, that all continental and outlying lands must, 
before long, fall under one flag, and that flag the one that 
carries so gloriously the Stars and Stripes.''^ 

To resume. As I told you, I could not go to help in 
delivering Mexico from demagogues. As luck would 
have it, I joined a company early, which soon went up in 
two days from 40 to 130 men. AVe went to town once or 
twice a week, or oftener, to drill. All in excellent spirits, 
the last few evenings, which stole upon us calm and sw^eet 
as we finished our drill, difliised a soft and gentle influence 
over all, while the moon rose calm and bright, was an im- 
pression not to be forgotten in a lifetime. I remember 
well the warm sultry evening I was returning from a ball 
at the City Hall, the stars shining brilliantly in the serene 
sky ; the frogs and katydids had ceased their lullaby, and 
all nature had sunk to rest. When I reached home, it was 
well nigh morning. However, I had a sound nap before 
summoned to breakfast. All faces were bright and smil- 
ing, and I felt very happy with the notice I received the 
evening before, that I should join my company next morn- 
ing to join our regiment, that I could take part in the 
honors of our country. It was past noon when all the 
companies reached town ; while citizens from all parts of 
the country were coming into town in every variety of 
vehicle, and such an outpouring of the people had never 
been seen in Frederick before ; but animated by patriot- 
ism, they dropped their work, in order to show their devo- 
tion for oppressed brethren. Even the gay, handsome 
ladies in countless numbers graced the occasion with their 
presence, and waved their handkerchiefs, showing the deep 



14 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

interest they had taken in our cause. Soon we were march- 
ing down Market street, to take the train for Baltimore, 
amid deafening huzzahs, to say nothing of the excellent 
music the bands of Frederick and other places favored us 
with — those familiar soul-stirring patriotic airs. 

I never saw Frederick prettier. Business suspended, as 
every one wanted holiday. All houses decorated, and 
many beautiful arches erected, and a number of large flags 
thrown to the breeze. Market street presented a grand 
appearance — a continuous stream of flags, evergreens and 
banners. Bidding farewell to our relations and friends, 
we were soon on the cars. At several places along the 
road, shouting crowds, hoarse and valorous, sent us, as we 
passed, their hopes and wishes. Our men, gay and cheer- 
ful and careless, confident of being ready at any moment, 
capable of performing, and more than performing, their 
duty, they looked battle in the face with a smile, and were 
ready to liob nob w^ith an enemy, were he present. A good 
many had taken more than enough to drink, and become 
somewhat noisy. 

When we reached Baltimore, we heard the booming of 
cannon, ringing of bells, and the shouts and cheers of the 
thousands. We were in an ecstasy of eager curiosity. 
The newsboys shouting off tlieir papers by a glorious vic- 
tory — the fleet has gained a glorious victory. The papers 
were sold in a thrice ; those who were ofl" the train first 
succeeded in getting a few copies, while myself with num- 
bers were trying to get all tlie information we could, but 
only succeed with such sentences as we could catch from 
the joyious crowds, as a glorious victory ; a victory such as 
had never been known before in the waters of Columbia ; 
a victory that would send a thrill of ecstasy to every heart 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 15 

throughout the land. Not humbled the allies, but so dis- 
couraged them that they dare not even show fight ; they 
were vanished ; Columbian Archipelago is ours. The 
plan of battle was admirable ; the ships formed into line ; 
it was a sublime sight, this fleet of fifty war-ships ; mailed 
that the balls of the enemy glanced oif like an Indian's 
arroAV on the skin of an alligator ; gracefully swept into 
line, so silent, so elegant, awaiting the enemy, soon to burst 
into the loudest thunder for eight long hours ; vessel after 
vessel of the enemy sunk hy her side of an armament of 
over two hundred choice war-ships, rushing around her 
far more fiercer than wolves around a dying stag ; the ves- 
sels enveloped in smoke that no eye could penetrate, burst 
forth incessantly from the tumultous malstrom of dark- 
ness, sending such bolts as never hurled from the fabled 
hands of Jupiter Olympus, glancing from off our armor, 
ricGOcheting over the water in all directions. The smoke- 
stacks of some of bur ships were riddled with shot ; flag- 
staffs shot away, and anchors bent, some as if they had 
been molded lead, but none the worse hurt, save a few 
scratches on their ironed^cased batterries. Thrice is he 
armed who has his cause just. 

News had arrived of the destruction of the allied fleet. 
Old England had become exasperated at our government 
without giving her a cause, allied her fleet with Spain to 
defeat Cuba. She declared that war was for her advan- 
tage, a protection to her West India colonies, and as soon 
as she heard of our conflict with Mexico, sent out troops, 
ammunitions and men-of-war; and the London papers 
declared that England was interested to proclaim war, and 
teach young America a lesson not to meddle in West India 
possessions. Yes, liberty-loving England, that boasts of 



16 Umle Billy's Narrative ; Oi\ The Fifth Nationality. 

fighting for the oppressed of all lands, but when was she 
ever known to favor an oppressed people, throwing oif the 
yoke of despotism ? Alas ! let Ireland from centuries 
of miserable oppression say what heart has England to 
favor freedom. 

Meanwhile, we were hurrying on board the shipping — 
aboard the Osceola — the wonder of the age, a new masted 
broadside ocean-going ironclad, built for speed, and carry- 
ing the maximum of armor and armament consistent with 
seaworthy qualities. Yes, we were on board the majestic 
Osceola just from the navy yard, hurrying to the scenes of 
war in scarce less than a fortnight since the barbarous 
cruelties had aroused our citizens. Sea-sickness was all 
but encouraging, but as this was my first voyage I had 
much to learn. 



Uncle Bilhjs Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 17 



CHAPTER ly. 

All were happy and enthusiastic at the prospect of being 
able to take part in the triumph of our country, and were 
inspirited at the sight of the beautiful war-ships. The 
morning of the fifth day was mild and lovely ; the sokliers 
in the highest delight with the saturnalia, jokes and fun. 
At night anxious faces looked southward, perchance to see 
the island in the distance. 'Ere long we were within sight 
of the castles of Havana. Havana is defended by three forts 
or castles — Moro, Punto and Cabanas. The first two forts 
command the entire entrance to the harbor — a kind of 
channel scarcely more than three hundred yards wide, and 
about a thousand long. On the left of this entrance is the 
far-famed Moro Castle, with little of the grimaces of a 
fortress about it, but much of the dreamy and delicate 
beauty of an enchanted palace. Its light golden brown 
seemed to grow out of, rather than to be built upon, a 
ridge of rocks curiously worn and seamed by the action of 
the water, from the midst of which rose a single lofty, 
slender tower, with a graceful balcony, a long line of em- 
brasures for cannon, and a beacon at the top ; the whole 
looking so slight and aerial in the shimmering sunshine 
that it soon tumbled into a heap of ruins when two hun- 
dred pound balls from a couple of our broadsides struck 
it. Behind this is a huge, strong fort — the "Cabanas'^ — 
commanding the city and greater part of the bay. On the 
right of the entrance is the Punto Castle, a smaller, less 
important fort than Moro, well suited to the times of 



18 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Notionality. 

Philip II, but not the wise, enlightened days of the nine- 
teenth century. Back of this in either direction stretches 
the citv. 

A bombardment was determined on. Each ship placed 
so as to throw a broadside into the forts. It was an 
appalling storm descending upon the Spanish like the 
fabled bolts of Jove. The scene aboard was novel and 
thrilling. The thunder of the conflict drowned all noises. 
Terror and grandeur of war were there, without its carnage 
and misery, ^o blood-stained decks ; no groans of the 
wounded or dying ; enveloped in enough peril to rouse all 
to a delerium of enthusiasm. Bombs rose from the ships^ 
in a majestic sweep through the air, and then fell directly 
into the forts, exploading with a roar equal to the loudest 
thunder. The Spanish could i>ot withstand this. Their 
cry of ^'Santiago y cierra Esjxtna'^ — ^Saint Jago and charge 
Spain — Avas useless here. When a panic in an army com- 
mences, reason is gone. They dropped their arms and fled 
like sheep before the hound, leaving everything they had 
behind them — their coats which they had thrown ofll their 
watches, their guns, in fact all the spoils of the camp. 
Punto was abandoned ; Moro in ruins ; but Cabanas was 
still there, where the foe had centered their last hope of 
Cuba. 

AVhile the bombardment was going on, we were landing, 
that is the land force which was to co-operate with the 
fleet. When the first boats neared the shore they were 
fired upon with heavy guns secreted on the coast, when the 
Osceola neared and threw a few dozen sharpnells among 
them ; they could not withstand these, and molested us no 
farther. But tha "Queen of the Antilles" was not taken 
so easily. They retreated out of reach of our shipping 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 19 

only, then determined on a despc^rate resistence. We 
landed, marched a distance, then threw a sort of redoubt 
up, when the enemy, recovering from his fright, had re- 
turned to meet us. We were ordered to lie down behind 
our unfinished works ; however, the bank protected most 
of us. Our colonel Avas the only one exposed, for he rode 
up and down our line steady as a rock. We were all 
pleased to see him so cool. 

Time seemed endless while we had to lay thus inactive. 
We could not, of course, help peering over the bank, to 
try and see what was going on ; but there was nothing to 
be made out, for now a tremendous thunderstorm, w^hich 
had been gathering all the afternoon, burst on us, and a 
torrent of almost blinding rain came down, which obscured 
the view, even more than the smoke, while the crashing of 
the thunder, and the glare of the lightning could be heard 
and seen, even above the roar and flash of the artillery. 
Once, when the rain somewhat abated, the trade winds 
lifted the smoke, when we saw a skirmishing party in the 
valley, — a grand scene in the dark green, encompassed in a 
curtain of smoke all around, and a clear gap in the centre, 
with a sudden gleam of evening sunshine lighting up. 
The steep, smoth slope of the hill was crowded Avith dark 
figures of the enemy, whom I now saw for the first time, 
— an irregular outline in front, but very solid in the rear. 
The Avhole body Avas moving forward in fits and starts, 
Avith a great noise and clang, like as if they intended to 
frighten us aAvay, Avhile the men firing and advancing ; the 
officers waving their swords ; the columns closing up, and 
gradually making AA^ay. Our men Avere concealed by 
bushes and trees, AA'hence the smoke and their fire could be 
seen proceeding. Presently from these bushes came out a 



20 Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

blue line and dashed dpwn the brow of the hill, a flame of 
fire belching out from the front as it advanced. The ene- 
my hesitated, gave way, and finally ran back in a confused 
crowd down the hill. Then the smoke covered the scene ; 
but the glimpse of this splendid charge was inspiring, and 
I hoped we should show the same coolness when it came 
to our turn. 

Now came our turn. For a few minutes we saw nothing, 
but a rattle of bullets, which came through the smoke, 
mostly, however, passing over our bank. We began to 
fire in reply, stepping up against the bank to fire and stoop- 
ing down to load ; but our brigade major rode up with an 
order, and the word was passed through the men to reserve 
our fire. In a very few moments it must have been, that 
when ordered to stand, we could see the helmit, spikes, 
and then the dark figures of the skirmishers, as they came 
.on ; a lot of them there appeared to be, five or six deep, I 
should say, but in loose order, each man stopping to aim 
and fire, and then coming forward a little. Just then the 
brigadier came clattering on horsebaclv up to us. ''Xow 
then, boys, give it them hot," he cried ; and fire away we 
did, as fast as ever we were able. 

How long this went on, I know not, — it could not have 
lasted long ; neither side could have lasted many minutes 
under such a fire, but it ended by the enemy fleeing in 
confusion, and as soon as we saw that, we raised a tremen- 
dous shout, and jumped upon the bank to give them our 
parting shots. Suddenly the order was passed down the 
line to cease firing, and we soon discovered the cause. 
Several companies of infantry were charging obliquely 
across from our left across our front. It was, I expect, 
their flank attack as much as our fire which had driven 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationalitij. 21 

back the enemy, and it was a splendid sight to see their 
steady line as they advanced slowly across the valley be- 
low us, firing as they went, but as steady as if on parade. 
We felt greatly elated ; the enemy was flying, the battle 
was w^on. We were driving them into Havana, which we 
soon made succumb, with, I do not remember the exact 
number of prisoners, but many thousand, besides great 
quantities of munitions of war. 

sit ^ >K =!« 

We were soon in the beautiful city, with its balmy air, 
shady balconies — all gilded in noontide glory. How the 
sunshine gatliers things in its passionate embrace — spires, 
ceibas houses, palms, gardens — and breathes over them all 
a soft, delicious languor. The air is full of the soothing 
murmurousness of gauzy-winged insects, swarming, float- 
ing, and shining; and somewhat afar is a faint sound that 
comes from the ocean. The atmosphere is of a mellow, 
creamy tint, (^uite different from its clear whiteness at the 
Nortli ; you think it must have been filtered through gold, 
or fused in a crucible w^ith amber, ^ere it was shed over 
this enchanted isle ; or you wonder how many ripe, gorge- 
ous, glowing sunsets it has dissolved and holds in solution 
to give it such wonderful softness of tone and rare lumi- 
nousness of tint. Seen through this wiirm, palpitating 
medium, objects do not stand out sharp and clear, as in 
our colder atmosphere ; their outlines soften, waver, grow 
vague and dreamy, and their colors are smoothed and 
blended, until you cease to think about details, and know 
only that you are living in a picture, and breathing sun- 
shine — sunshine which is sweetness to your lungs and re- 
pose to your heart. Your cares are soothed ; your pains 
and ills fall from you like ill-fitting garments ; all the 



22 Unde Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

dark realities of your life have a rainbow border, like ob- 
jects seen througli a prism. Your imagination is enriched ; 
you no longer aspire to be a philanthrophist, but you are 
inly persuaded that you were born a poet, and have mys- 
terious kinships with palm groves and flowers. Sweet 
verses of rare old songs come fitfully to your lips ; gorge- 
ous bits of Arabian Nights and imagery float hazily 
through your memory ; aircastles rise, rosehued and radi- 
ent, on the sapphire foundation of the cloudless sky ; exis- 
tence is become a luxury, and life a dream ! 



Uncle Bilh/s Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 23 



CHAPTER Y. 

Mean^vhile, we were received everywhere w4th the 
greatest enthusiasm by the Cubans, who were so glad that 
they were free, so joyous that in future joy and peace would 
dwell in harmony among them. No tyrants to oppress ; 
no bayonets to keep them in subjection ; no purchased per- 
mit to travel in their lovely isle ; no tax or written con- 
tract to repair their buildings, or move from one house 
into another. 

But we did not stop here. Every island in the whole 
Columbian Archipelago was ours ; and old Spain and old 
England had no more to say in A^est India rule ; and then 
came Canada, yes, Canada, which we had been longing and 
waiting for over a hundred years. When old England 
made war on us, the Fenians, a liberty-loving brotherhood, 
who wanted to see Canada free, rallied, invaded Canada, 
drove out British authority, without much trouble, and 
the Canadian militia, of which there were so much talk, 
did not amount to anything in support of foreign authority. 
They joined the Fenians in whole companies, relying upon 
their promises. ''We come,^' said the Fenians, "to sever 
your foreign allegiance. We are your friends. In us you 
may confide. We only make war against foreign foes. 
Our sole quarrel is with oppressors who rule you.^' Our 
government did not have to spend a cent in this Fenian 
invasion, all borne by the generous, humane brotherhood. 
Each province soon knocked at the door of our Union 
for admission as a state, and happy we were to see the poor 



24 Uncle Bilh/s Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationality. 

Canadians free and under the Stars and Stripes, while our 
government was fast extending its bounds to the lings 
pointed out with ecstatic delight by the prophets, and 
which the wise had long understood must speedily be ac- 
complished, for it is written, '^I will give knowledge to 
them that understandeth." The rest of the outlying lands 
of the continent soon followed, and the boundary of the 
fifth nationality is complete, and the good administration 
of President Sherman about to close so illustrious and pro- 
gressive, with such prosperity that tongue cannot tell, or 
pen discribe, and the thanksgiving of myriads who sor- 
rowed in panic made him the idol in the hearts of grateful 
millions, and his name goes down the ages with those few 
mortals whom the Almighty ordained to control the desti- 
nies of the world. And now nearly fifty years have passed, 
we are still advancing in intellectual and material progress 
and development, through public education and industrial 
. enterprise, and the eyes of the people are open to the 
prophecy and our glorious Republic — the fifth great na- 
tionality that was to come, awaiting the dawn of the mil- 
lennial morn. 

That glorious day so often referred to in the Holy Bible 
— that resplendent day long the theme of so many promi- 
ses to the good and true of every age, hallowed hope of 
the Christian, and the song that made Judah's sacred 
mountains shake with expectant joy. The cloudless splen- 
dor from a new heaven will beam on the inhabitants of a 
new earth in that happy millennial when there will be but 
one kind of civil government known, and that will be 
llepublicanism, and but one religion known, and that will 
be Christianity. Xot that every man will be a holy man, 
ibr the final judgement will come, when wise and foolish 



Uncle Billy's Narrative ; Or, The Fifth Nationaliti/. 25 

virgins, the righteous and tlie wicked, will both be upon 
earth ; but a long circle of ages called the millennial — a 
certain given for an indefinite number of years — in which 
the means for the elevation of the world will be multi- 
plied, commerce and trade, agriculture and manufactures, 
science and art, will extend, the gospel of the Son of God 
have universal welcome among the nations of the earth, 
and nations learn to war no more. 

Then will the apocalyptic angel, having the everlasting 
gospel to preach to every nation and people and tongue, 
sweep the breath of heaven, and as his silvery pinions of 
light shave the levil horizon, every island and continent 
shall bow obsequeous to his message : ^'Fear God and 
give glory to him ; and worship him that made heaven 
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters/' 



(the end of part first.) 



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